Vale Peter Brown
Posted on March 24th, 2021
A Pioneer of Industry and a passionate advocate for the Sapphire Gemfields, Peter Brown’s legacy will be celebrated for many decades to come.
“The moment I held that stone up to the sun and saw a deep vibrant royal blue colour throughout the sapphire… I knew I was hooked.” That was the confession of Peter Brown after unearthing his first sapphire back in 1974.
Despite the gems discovered, his best find was in American backpacker Eileen, who became the love of his life and over their 40 year marriage, they welcomed 3 incredible sons, 3 beautiful daughter-in-laws, 3 gorgeous grandsons and are supported by wonderful, loving family on both sides, together with an abundance of amazing friends.
After opening Rubyvale Gem Gallery on 9th August 1988, Peter and Eileen Brown have been trailblazers in the local, regional, state and national tourism industry.
Peter and Eileen’s sons Tyler and Mitch returned to the business a few years ago to work alongside their Dad, so they can continue the family legacy at Rubyvale Gem Gallery and Rubyvale Gem Gallery Apartments, extending the business even further with a brewery as part of the café.
Rubyvale Gem Gallery is one of two tourism operators located in Queensland that has won the prestigious ‘Australian Tourism Award for Specialised Tourism Service’ alongside Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.
This amongst a suite of other awards are listed below:
1993 – Rubyvale Gem Gallery wins the first of many Tourism awards to come….
2000 – Central Highlands Tourism Award for best ‘Tourism Retailing’ and ‘Outstanding Contribution’ by an individual was awarded to Peter in recognition of his valued role in the development of tourism throughout the Central Highlands
2005 – Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Awards for ‘Best Attraction’ and ‘Tourism Retailing’
2006 – Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Awards for ‘Tourism Retailing’ and highly commended for ‘Significant Tourist Attraction’
2007 – Australian Tourism Awards for ‘Specialised Tourism Services’, Queensland Tourism Award for ‘Specialised Tourism Services’, Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Award for ‘Specialised Tourism Services’, Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef Tourism Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution by a Tourism Operator’
Central Queensland and Southern Great Barrier Reef Hall of Fame Gold Award
Central Highlands Tourism Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’
2008 – Queensland Tourism Award for ‘Specialised Tourism Services’
2009 – Queensland Tourism Award for ‘Specialised Tourism Services’ and entry to the ‘Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame’
Capricorn Enterprise Mary Carroll said “people like Peter Brown are as precious as the sapphires he mined and he will be missed by his tourism family. On behalf of Capricorn Enterprise and the broader tourism industry, we extend our condolences and continued support to Eileen and the family.”
Peter’s incredible story was recently featured on Channel 9’s “My Way” – WATCH HERE
Peter’s service will be held next Monday 29th March at 11am at the Rubyvale Cemetery, followed by his Wake at Rubyvale Flats (Miners Reserve).
